Todays Reading Mark 10:35-45 35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, approached Him and said, “Teacher, we want You to do something for us if we ask You.” 36 “What do you want Me to do for you?” He asked them. 37 They answered Him, “Allow us to sit at Your right and at Your left in Your glory.” 38 But Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you’re asking. Are you able to drink the cup I drink or to be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” 39 “We are able,” they told Him. Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink, and you will be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with. 40 But to sit at My right or left is not Mine to give; instead, it is for those it has been prepared for.” 41 When the other 10 disciples heard this, they began to be indignant with James and John. 42 Jesus called them over and said to them, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles dominate them, and their men of high positions exercise power over them. 43 But it must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first among you must be a slave to all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life—a ransom for many.” Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers. Serve – How Far are You Willing to Go by Eric Warren Click here for this week’s JourneyOn Today video. I love the candid view we have of some of the disciples here. It’s easy to point at them and criticize their actions, but if we’re honest with ourselves, are our actions that different from those of James and John? These two were more than likely taking a literal interpretation of the establishment of God’s Kingdom here on earth and thus had begun jockeying for position among the ranks due to their involvement in Jesus’ ministry. Maybe not explicitly, but do we not try to stroke our own motives and agendas at times, using our “church personae”? We gush about service projects we’ve participated in, or a powerful message we’ve heard, maybe with a subconscious hint of trying to paint ourselves in a certain light to those around us. Jesus responds to James’ and John’s request with a question, asking them if they were able to drink from His cup and be baptized as He was baptized. They assured Him they could, but did they know what they were agreeing to? Several Old Testament references have “the cup” representing God’s wrath (Psalm 11, Jeremiah 11, etc.). Christ goes on to strike down misconceptions that the disciples held about leadership, saying that those who wish to be great, those who wish to lead, must make themselves slaves and low. So how far are we willing to go to pursue true leadership? Are we willing to make ourselves low, sacrificing our image and how others perceive us? This is Christ’s calling on our lives, to serve in a way that knows no boundary, as Christ set the perfect example in His humbling Himself on a cross. Speaking broadly, true and genuine service is being around when no one else expects you to be. Growing up, I had people pour into me and love on me when I had no clue why they would do such a thing. These people made me curious to know what it was about them that made them so joyful—what made them so different. Looking back I can say with every confidence that it was Jesus who made the difference. They had a true heart that loved Jesus so intimately that they in turn sloshed out their Jesus-filled heart on me. So where will you be? Where will you show up when no one expects you to, so you might lend a hand and show people you are interested not in just lip service, but in truly embodying love as Christ intended you to? Praxis Compile a list of people your heart truly and genuinely feels for. Take inventory of who it is that God has strategically put in your life and realize it is not just chance that has put you near these people. Meditate on how you can serve them. Don’t look for “I scratch your back, you scratch mine” opportunities, but find places to help and love on your neighbor in ways that can’t be repaid. Whether they are in serious financial trouble, or maybe just needing a cup of coffee and a chat, actively seek out opportunities to serve them. Invite those around you to join in. These experiences aren’t to be contained in a small box. When the passions of multiple people are harnessed for the service of others, wondrous things can happen. It is also reassuring to see a plurality in this love we cling to, to know it’s not just one or a few people who are moved by it, but many. Be consistent. Drive-by service opportunities can often be more damaging than helpful. These aren’t supposed to be isolated experiences that boost your self-confidence by performing your good task for the month. No, service is a defining trait of a Christian. We are called to actively and consistently seeking out opportunities to put others ahead of ourselves. True service is not something sporadic but a way of life.
Posted on: Mon, 24 Nov 2014 06:10:52 +0000
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